Chapter 26

26.20 History History: 1975 c. 365; 1977 c. 29 ss. 448b to 448t, 1654 (9) (f); 1977 c. 224; 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (2); 1983 a. 422 ss. 10, 15; 1993 a. 16, 123, 490.

26.205 26.205 Tractors, spark arresters. Tractors operating in a forest protection area or on other land where there is danger of setting fire, shall be equipped so that the tractors will not set fire on the lands and to reduce to a minimum the danger of setting fire. The department or its locomotive inspector is authorized and directed to reject from service all tractors not properly equipped to prevent the setting of fires. The department shall, after investigation, prescribe suitable fire preventive devices for tractors operating in marsh land or on other land where there is danger of fire being set by their operation.

26.205 History History: 1977 c. 224.

26.21 26.21 Civil liability for forest fires.

26.21(1) (1) In addition to the penalties provided in s. 26.20, the United States, the state, the county or private owners, whose property is injured or destroyed by forest fires, may recover, in a civil action, double the amount of damages suffered, if the fires occurred through willfulness, malice or negligence. In a civil action, a court may award reasonable costs for legal representation to provide owners recovering damages under this subsection.

26.21(2) (2) Persons causing fires in violation of this chapter shall be liable to the state in an action for debt, to the full amount of all damages done to the state lands and for all expenses incurred by the towns fighting forest fires and shall be liable to municipalities in an action for debt, to the full amount of all damages to the municipal lands and for all expenses incurred by the municipalities fighting such fires.

26.21 History History: 1977 c. 29.

26.21 Annotation This statute does not create liability in favor of a town. Town of Howard v. Soo Line Railroad Co. 63 Wis. 2d 500, 217 N.W.2d 329 (1974).

26.21 Annotation Sub. (1) is not limited to a specific class of tortfeasor, such as a railroad corporation, and a violation under s. 26.20 is not a prerequisite for applying sub. (1). The plain language of sub. (1) does not require “gross negligence.” Heritage Farms, Inc. v. Markel Insurance Company, 2009 WI 27, 316 Wis. 2d 47, 762 N.W.2d 652, 07-0983.

26.21 Annotation If it is determined that the owner’s property was injured or destroyed by a forest fire that occurred through willfulness, malice, or negligence, the property owner is entitled to double damages as a matter of course. The use of “may” in sub. (1) does not authorize the recovery of double damages within the court’s discretion. Rather, the use of “may recover” indicates that a property owner, whose property is injured or destroyed by a forest fire, “may” choose to bring a civil action against the tortfeasor to recover double damages. Heritage Farms, Inc. v. Markel Insurance Company, 2012 WI 26, 339 Wis. 2d 125, 810 N.W.2d 465, 10-0355.

26.22 26.22 Sales, etc. The department may sell any timber on land under the department’s jurisdiction which has been damaged by fire, snow, hail, ice, insects, disease, or wind, on such terms and in such manner as the department determines is in the best interest of the state.

26.22 History History: 2003 a. 242.

26.30 26.30 Forest insects and diseases; department jurisdiction; procedure.

26.30(1) (1) Purpose. It is the public policy of the state to control forest pests on or threatening forests of the state in order to protect the forest resources, promote good forest management, enhance the growth and maintenance of forests, promote stability of forest-using industries, aid in fire control by reducing the menace created by dying and dead trees, conserve forest cover on watersheds and protect wildlife, recreational values and other values of the forest.

26.30(2) (2) Powers. The department is vested with authority and jurisdiction in all matters relating to the prevention, detection and control of forest pests on the forest lands of the state, and to do all things necessary in the exercise of such authority and jurisdiction, except that this shall not be construed to grant any powers or authority to the department for the silvicultural control of forest pests on any land. This section shall apply only to the detection and control of forest pests on forest lands and does not affect the authority of the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under chs. 93 and 94. The action of the department under sub. (4) shall be coordinated with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection in accordance with s. 20.901. The secretaries of natural resources and agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall execute annually a memorandum of agreement to enable the coordination of pest control work of their departments.

26.30(3) (3) Definitions. As used in this section:

26.30(3)(a) (a) “Control” includes prevent, retard, suppress, eradicate or destroy.

26.30(3)(b) (b) “Control zone” means an area of land which, in the judgment of the department, constitutes a present or potential forest pest breeding ground of a nature to be harmful, detrimental and injurious to permanent forest growth in the district or zone upon which control measures are justified.

26.30(3)(c) (c) “Forest pest” means any insect or disease which is harmful, injurious or destructive to forests or timber.

26.30(3)(d) (d) “Forests” or “forest lands” mean any area on which trees exist, standing or down, alive or dead, actually or potentially valuable for forest products, watershed or wildlife protection or recreational uses in contrast to shade, horticulture or ornamental trees valuable for landscape, agricultural, aesthetic or similar purposes.

26.30(3)(e) (e) “Infestation” includes actual, potential, incipient or emergency infestation or infection by forest pests.

26.30(4) (4) Surveys, investigations and control. The department shall make surveys and investigations to determine the presence, condition and extent of infestations and it shall also carry on control measures when necessary. For such purposes the department or its wardens may enter public and private lands at reasonable times without incurring a liability to anyone.

26.30(5) (5) Cooperative agreements. To carry out the purposes of this section the department may enter into arrangements or agreements with the University of Wisconsin System, the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, other departments of this and other states, the U.S. department of agriculture and other federal agencies and with counties, towns, corporations and individuals.

26.30(6) (6) Responsibility of forest landowners. Every owner of forest lands or timber shall exercise every reasonable effort to control and destroy forest pests on forest lands or timber owned by or under the control of the owner. In case of the owner’s failure, neglect or inability to do so, the work may be performed as provided in this section.

26.30(6m) (6m) Gypsy moth suppression.

26.30(6m)(a) (a) If the department establishes a program for the suppression of gypsy moths, and that program includes the awarding and administering of federal cost-sharing funds to counties for aerial insecticide treatment, the department shall promulgate rules to implement the program. The rules shall specify that an area is not eligible for aerial insecticide treatment under the program unless the area is at least 20 compact and contiguous acres in size.

26.30(6m)(ag) (ag) The rules promulgated under par. (a) shall require that an eligible applicant for funding provide notification to landowners and tenants within the eligible proposed treatment blocks and within an area surrounding those blocks to be determined by the applicant. Notification under this paragraph shall include all of the following:

26.30(6m)(ag)1. 1. Publication of a class 1 notice under ch. 985 in a local newspaper at least 10 days before a deadline, as designated by the applicant for funding in the notice, for registering an objection by a landowner or tenant to treatment on the land under the landowner’s or tenant’s control.

26.30(6m)(ag)2. 2. Issuance of a press release at least 10 days before the deadline for objections under subd. 1. that announces the public meeting under subd. 3.

26.30(6m)(ag)3. 3. Holding of a public meeting by the applicant for funding at least 7 days before the deadline for objections under subd. 1.

26.30(6m)(ar) (ar) The published notice and press release under par. (ag) shall provide information on the location of proposed treatment blocks, the insecticide to be used, the approximate timing of treatment, the method for registering an objection to the treatment of property, and the name, address, and phone number of the applicant for funding or the applicant’s designee.

26.30(6m)(av) (av) The published notice under par. (ag) 1. and the press release under par. (ag) 2. shall state, and a statement shall be made at the public meeting under par. (ag) 3., that all of the following apply:

26.30(6m)(av)1. 1. If a landowner or tenant registers a timely objection to treatment on land under the landowner’s or tenant’s control, the applicant for funding may not treat that land.

26.30(6m)(av)2. 2. If a landowner or tenant does not register a timely objection to treatment on land under the landowner’s or tenant’s control, the applicant for funding may treat that land.

26.30(6m)(b) (b) Subsections (7) to (10) do not apply to a gypsy moth suppression program established under this subsection.

26.30(7) (7) Designation of infestation control zones.

26.30(7)(a) (a) Whenever the department finds that an area in the state is infested or threatened with infestation by forest pests, it shall determine whether proven measures of control are needed and are available at reasonable cost with respect to the value of the forest lands or timber to be protected and the area affected. Such control measures may be applied through cooperative agreements as provided in subs. (5) and (8) or the department may designate a proposed zone of infestation covering the area in which control measures are to be applied. When a proposed zone of infestation is designated and before the establishment thereof, the department shall hold a public hearing thereon. Notice of such hearing shall be published in one or more newspapers having a general circulation in the county covered in whole or in part by the proposed zone as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985. The notice shall contain a description of the lands included in the proposed zone of infestation and a time and place where owners of forest lands in the proposed zone may show cause orally or in writing why the zone should or should not be established. The department shall consider any statements received in determining whether the zone shall be established. If the department determines that a zone should be established it shall issue an order establishing the zone of infestation.

26.30(7)(b) (b) Upon the establishment of a zone of infestation by the department, notice thereof shall be published in one or more newspapers having a general circulation in the area affected by such zone as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985.

26.30(7)(c) (c) When the department finds that an emergency condition exists and that the delays necessitated by the procedure outlined in pars. (a) and (b) would result in an epidemic or infestation, it may by order establish a zone of infestation without public hearing, giving such notice as it deems feasible.

26.30(8) (8) Department to control infestation if owner fails to act. Upon the establishment of a zone of infestation, the department shall apply measures of control on public and private forest lands within the established zone if the owner fails, refuses, neglects or is unable to undertake adequate control measures. The department shall endeavor to enter into agreements with owners of forest lands concerning the control work on their lands and fixing a proportional basis on which the costs of such work will be shared between the state and such owner. Failure of the department to offer an agreement to or execute an agreement with any owner shall not relieve the owner of any liability under this section or impair the right of the department to enter on the lands of said owner to conduct control operations.

26.30(9) (9) Distribution and collection of costs.

26.30(9)(a) (a) At the completion of the control measures in any area, or at the end of the calendar year, the department shall prepare a certified statement of the expenses incurred in carrying out such measures including expenses of owners covered by agreements pursuant to sub. (8) but these charges shall not include salary or expenses of regular permanent or seasonal personnel of the department, or operating costs for such regular equipment as may be owned or purchased by the department for insect pest control work. The statement shall show the amount which the department determines to be the state’s share of the expenses, but this amount shall not be less than 50 percent of the balance of such expenses incurred on forest lands after federal funds allocated to a specific control project have been deducted. The share of the state may include any federal aid funds and the value of contributions made available by other cooperators. The balance of such costs shall constitute a charge on an acreage basis against the owners of lands in the area affected by the forest pests for which control measures were conducted. In fixing the rates at which charges shall be made against each owner, the department shall consider present values and the present and potential benefits to such owner and to the state as a whole from the application of control measures, the cost of applying such measures to the owner’s land, and other such factors as in the discretion of the department will enable it to determine an equitable distribution of the costs to all such owners. No charge shall be made against owners to the extent that they have individually or collectively contributed funds, supplies or services pursuant to agreement, and 160 acres or less of forest land owned by any person within any county shall be exempt from any control cost.

26.30(9)(b) (b) As soon as the expenses incurred by the state in forest pest control work have been paid by the secretary of administration, the department shall send to each landowner a bill covering an equitable share of such expenses as herein provided.

26.30(9)(b)1. 1. When such work has been performed on county lands, the department shall send to the proper county treasurer a bill for the county’s share of such expenses and a copy of the bill shall be filed with the department of administration. The county shall have until October 1 of each year to pay such bill. If payment is not made by October 1 of each year, the secretary of state, upon information certified to the secretary of state by the department of administration, shall include such amount as a part of the next levy against the county for state taxes, but no county shall be required to pay more than $5,000 of such amount in any one year. Any unpaid levy under this section shall remain a charge against the county and the secretary of state shall include such unpaid sums in the state tax levy of the respective counties in subsequent years.

26.30(9)(b)2. 2. When such work has been performed on other public or private lands the department shall certify to such owner the claim of the state in writing and list the items of expense incurred in such pest control work. Such claims shall be paid within 60 days and, if not paid within such time, the state may begin an action thereon at any time within 2 years.

26.30(9)(b)3. 3. If any claim is not paid within 60 days, the state may file a mechanics’ lien within 6 months after the 60-day period expires against the land affected in accordance with ch. 779, and shall have the necessary remedies to enforce the lien.

26.30(10) (10) Dissolution of infestation control zones. Whenever the department finds that forest pest control within an established zone of infestation is no longer necessary or feasible it shall set aside the order establishing the zone.

26.30 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1650m (1); 1979 c. 32 s. 92 (9); 1979 c. 110 s. 60 (11); 1983 a. 189; 1985 a. 13; 1991 a. 316; 2003 a. 33, 57.

26.30 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 47.910, Wis. adm. code.

26.35 26.35 Forest productivity. The department shall identify types of privately owned forest lands which are most likely to provide high forest productivity benefits to the economy of the state. The department shall target its activities in providing assistance to owners of privately owned forest lands in order to concentrate on those types of forest lands identified as most likely to provide high forest productivity benefits to the economy of the state.

26.35 History History: 1983 a. 27.

26.36 26.36 Forest energy resources. Biennially, in consultation with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and any other appropriate agency, the department shall prepare a report regarding the extent of forest lands in this state and the potential of such lands to provide fuel for use in electric generating facilities, industrial facilities and home heating systems. The report shall evaluate progress made in meeting the afforestation goal under s. 1.12 (3) (c). The department shall submit the report before April 1 of each even-numbered year to the legislature under s. 13.172 (3).

26.36 History History: 1993 a. 414.

26.36 Note NOTE: 1993 Wis. Act 414, which creates this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.

26.37 26.37 Lake states wood utilization consortium.

26.37(1) (1) The department of natural resources shall develop a plan to establish a lake states wood utilization consortium to provide research, development, and demonstration grants to enhance the forest products industry in Wisconsin and other states. The plan shall do all of the following:

26.37(1)(a) (a) Define the powers, duties and responsibilities of the consortium.

26.37(1)(b) (b) Establish an implementation committee for the consortium. Members of the committee may include one or more representatives from the department of natural resources, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the forest products industry.

26.37(1)(c) (c) Specify eligibility requirements for the grants and criteria for awarding the grants, including how the grants are to be distributed to each state participating in the consortium.

26.37(1)(d) (d) Require that the grants require matching funds or in-kind contributions by industrial recipients of the grants.

26.37(1)(e) (e) Require the implementation committee to identify an organization that can administer and award the grants and oversee the grant program.

26.37(1)(f) (f) Require the consortium to actively pursue funding from the states of Michigan and Minnesota of $200,000 annually from each state for 3 years.

26.37(1)(g) (g) Require the consortium to actively pursue federal and other funding sources.

26.37(2) (2) The department of natural resources may not expend moneys from the appropriations under s. 20.370 (5) (ax) or (6) (bt), 1997 stats., unless the department of natural resources and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation first submit to the joint committee on finance the plan required under sub. (1). If the cochairpersons of the joint committee on finance do not notify the department of natural resources within 14 working days after the date of the submittal of the plan that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the plan, the plan may be implemented and moneys may be expended as proposed by the department of natural resources. If, within 14 days after the date of the submittal of the plan, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the department of natural resources that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the plan, moneys may be expended only after the plan has been approved by the committee.

26.37 History History: 1995 a. 27 ss. 1430m, 9116 (5); 1999 a. 185; 2011 a. 32.

26.38 26.38 Forest grant program.

26.38(1) (1) In this section:

26.38(1)(a) (a) “Community” has the meaning given in s. 28.04 (1) (b).

26.38(1)(ag) (ag) “Forest stewardship management plan” means a plan describing forest stewardship measures to be used on a particular site to achieve multiple natural resource goals.

26.38(1)(ar) (ar) “Nonindustrial private forest land” means rural land that has existing tree cover or that is suitable for growing trees.

26.38(1)(b) (b) “Sustainable forestry” has the meaning given in s. 28.04 (1) (e).

26.38(2m) (2m) 

26.38(2m)(a) (a) The department shall establish a program to award grants for developing and implementing forest stewardship management plans by owners of nonindustrial private forest land and to award grants to groups of interested parties for projects to control invasive plants in weed management areas. The department shall award the grants only to persons owning 500 acres or less of nonindustrial private forest land in this state or to groups in which each person participating owns 500 acres or less of nonindustrial private forest land in this state.

26.38(2m)(am) (am) Beginning with fiscal year 2008-09, from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (5) (av), the department shall allocate for each fiscal year at least $60,000 for grants for projects to control invasive plants in weed management areas. From the amount allocated, the department shall award grants to all eligible applicants for grants for such projects before awarding any balance of the allocated amount for grants for stewardship management plans.

26.38(2m)(b) (b) Each recipient of a grant under this section shall provide a matching contribution in an amount to be determined by the department for that particular grant based on criteria promulgated by rule under sub. (3). The matching contribution may be in the form of money or in-kind goods or services or both.

26.38(2m)(c) (c) A forest stewardship management plan developed or implemented with a grant under this section shall meet minimum standards that are promulgated by rule under sub. (3) and shall contain practices that protect and enhance all of the following:

26.38(2m)(c)1. 1. Soil and water quality.

26.38(2m)(c)2. 2. Endangered, threatened or rare forest communities.

26.38(2m)(c)3m. 3m. Sustainable forestry.

26.38(2m)(c)4. 4. Habitat for fish and wildlife.

26.38(2m)(c)5. 5. The recreational, aesthetic and environmental benefits that the forest land provides.

26.38(3) (3) The department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this program, including all of the following:

26.38(3)(a) (a) The criteria for determining the amount of a matching contribution under sub. (2m) (b).

26.38(3)(b) (b) The minimum standards required under sub. (2m) (c).

26.38(3)(c) (c) Eligibility requirements for groups receiving grants for weed management areas, requirements for the grants, and requirements for establishing weed management areas.

26.38 History History: 1997 a. 27; 2007 a. 20.

26.38 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 47, Wis. adm. code.

26.39 26.39 Forestry education and training.

26.39(1) (1) Definitions. In this section: